Seven Minister panel constituted to save Wular lake: Govt

The state government today constituted a group of seven senior Cabinet ministers to examine the proposal regarding accord of administrative approval for execution of work for dredging and strengthening embankments of the Wular Lake.
The constitution of group of ministers followed the decision of a Cabinet meeting held on August 9. The state’s Forest, Ecology and Environment Department had submitted a proposal to the Cabinet seeking accord of administrative approval and acceptance of the single tender for execution of work for dredging and strengthening embankments of the Wular Lake, which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. The lake is sited in Bandipora district of Kashmir division.
The group of ministers will also examine the removal and grubbing of willow and other undesirable tree species from the lake and its feeder channels under the Comprehensive Management Action Plan, 2007.
With the Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment as convener of the group, it will have the Minister for Social Welfare, and Science and Technology, Minister for Finance, Labour and Employment, Minister for Cooperative and Ladakh Affairs, Minister for Public Health Engineering, Minister for Information Technology and Minister for Education as its members.
“The group of ministers shall be serviced by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department,” a government order stated.
The state government has launched an ambitious project to salvage this freshwater lake from extensive pollution, siltation and encroachments. The lake with its associated wetlands comprises an important habitat for migratory waterbirds within the Central Asian flyway and supports rich biodiversity. It is also a major fishing resource of the Valley.